Los Angeles Immigration Protests Turn Violent, Vehicles Torched As Trump Deploys National Guard

Last Updated:June 09, 2025, 07:23 IST

Clashes intensified in Los Angeles after Trump deployed the National Guard in response to immigration raid protests. Tensions escalated with freeway blockades and vehicle fires.

A man on a motorcycle waves a Mexican flag as smoke rises from a burning car on Atlantic Boulevard, during a standoff by protesters and law enforcement in Los Angeles (Photo: Reuters)

Security forces clashed with protesters in Los Angeles on Sunday in response to US President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard, blocking off a major freeway and setting autonomous vehicles on fire as local law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to control the crowd.

The development came on the third day of unruly protests over federal immigration raids in the region, as the arrival of around 300 federal troops spurred anger and fear among some residents.

By midday, hundreds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown Los Angeles, where people were detained after earlier immigration raids.

Protesters directed chants of “shame" and “go home" at members of the National Guard, who stood shoulder to shoulder, carrying long guns and riot shields.

After some protesters closely approached the guard members, another set of uniformed officers advanced on the group, shooting smoke-filled canisters into the street.

Minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters, who they said were assembled unlawfully. Much of the group then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway until California Highway Patrol officers cleared them from the roadway by late afternoon.

Multiple videos on social media showed people vandalising and setting cars on fire.

Another video showed a queue of burning cars on a street in Los Angeles amid protests.

DONALD TRUMP VOWS ‘VERY STRONG LAW AND ORDER’

Trump, who has made clamping down on illegal migration a key plank of his second term, vowed the troops would ensure “very strong law and order," while appearing to leave the door open to deploying soldiers in other cities.

“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest. We have an incompetent Governor (Newscum) and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster. Federal permitting is complete!), unable to to handle the task," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why??? Again, thank you to the National Guard for a job well done!" he added.

Later, in another post, Trump wrote, “A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals.  Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations — But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve."

“I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, in coordination with all other relevant Departments and Agencies, to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots."

“Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he wrote.

Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom said the deployment in California — the first over the head of a state governor since the Civil Rights era — was “purposefully inflammatory".

“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California," he wrote on X.

A joint statement by Democratic governors from across the country in support of Newsom said Trump’s use of the California National Guard was “an alarming abuse of power."

The National Guard — a reserve military — is frequently used in natural disasters, and occasionally in instances of civil unrest, but almost always with the consent of local authorities.

IMMIGRATION RAIDS

Trump has delivered on a promise to crack down hard on the entry and presence of undocumented migrants — whom he has likened to “monsters" and “animals" — since taking office in January.

The Department for Homeland Security said ICE operations in Los Angeles this week had resulted in the arrest of “118 aliens, including five gang members."

The June 7 standoff took place in the suburb of Paramount, where demonstrators converged on a reported federal facility that the local mayor said was being used as a staging post by agents.

Masked and armed immigration agents carried out high-profile workplace raids in separate parts of Los Angeles, attracting angry crowds and setting off hours-long standoffs.

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Location :

First Published:

News world Los Angeles Immigration Protests Turn Violent, Vehicles Torched As Trump Deploys National Guard